9-Day Classic Egypt with a 4-Day Nile Cruise!

Ancient Egypt grips the imagination, touches the soul and inspires the uninspired. You simply can’t escape over 7000 years of historical influence Ancient Egypt enjoys.

The legacy of Ancient Egypt, with names like Ramses, Nefertiti and Tutankhamen and places like the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx echoes in art, literature and popular culture.

When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, Ancient Egyptian priests proclaimed him pharaoh after the oracle of Siwa declared Alexander to be a descendant of Amun, the chief deity of Ancient Egypt.

Ptolemy I, one of Alexander’s generals, succeeded Alexander as pharaoh and established the Ptolemaic dynasty.

Cleopatra, a direct descendant of Ptolemy I, was the last Greek ruler of Egypt.

During a Roman civil war, Augustus put an end to centuries of Ptolemaic rule when Cleopatra sided with Marc Anthony against Augustus. After winning the war, Augustus made Egypt a province of Rome. Respecting the tradition of the house of Ptolemy, the Caesars of Rome continued to honour Ancient Egyptian religion.

The continuous homage offered by Greek and Roman rulers to the local traditions of Ancient Egypt is the essence of Greco Roman culture in Egypt. Greco Roman art, architecture and ruins attest to the importance of Egypt in their regard. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Greco Roman Egypt became a part of the Byzantine Empire until the Arab Muslim conquest.

Travel to Egypt to see breathtaking temples, fascinating mummies and stunning artwork. Ancient Egypt is truly a cradle of civilization.

Visit the magnificent Temples of Karnak, dating back over 3,000 years, admire the two colossal statues of Ramses at the entrance to the ancient Luxor Temple, and tour the stunning Temple of Edfu. Explore the imposing Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, view the world-famous Aswan High Dam, discover the Temple of Philae with its beautiful island location, and marvel at the oldest structure of the “seven wonders of the ancient world” – the Great Pyramid of Giza. Plus, enjoy a cruise on the Nile and savor the spectacular scenery of the Nile Valley.

• • Round trip flights from Montreal
  • Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
  • All intra-flights: Cairo-Luxor & Aswan-Cairo
  • 7 nights First Class accommodations
    •  – 3 nights Cairo
    •  – 4 nights Nile Cruise on the Queen of Hansa
  • Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
  • Hotel & cruise porterage
  • All transfers
  • 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
  • Entrance fees per itinerary

DAY 1 – Depart Montreal
Depart for Egypt

DAY 2 – Arrive in Cairo 
Arrive in Egypt, one of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations; transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day acclimating to your new surroundings in exotic Cairo, an extraordinary mix of old and new. Tonight, attend an orientation meeting and enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at your hotel
Overnight: Cairo

DAY 3 – Flight to Luxor, Temples of Karnak & Luxor, Nile Cruise Embarkation
This morning, depart Cairo by flight to Luxor, the astonishing site of the ancient city of Thebes. Take a sightseeing tour of the East Bank and visit the magnificent Temples of Karnak, dating back over 3,000 years. Walk along the avenue of the Sphinxes and marvel at the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive sandstone columns. Afterward, head to Luxor Temple to admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II before embarking on the Queen of Hansa for an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Nile River. You’ll be warmly welcomed aboard with time to settle in before the Captain’s Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 – Luxor, Esna
View the magnificence of the Luxor West Bank on this morning’s optional tour that includes the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens & Temple of Hatshepsut along with Colossi of Memnon. Begin with a visit to the UNESCO listed Valley of the Kings, the necropolis of Thebes and admire the tombs of ancient Egypt’s rulers. Continue to the stunning Valley of the Queens, a burial site for the wives of the Pharaohs. Next, head to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a colonnaded structure surrounded by cliffs and learn about the life of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler. Conclude the tour at the Colossi of Memnon: two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. This evening, enjoy dinner on board while the ship sails down the Nile towards Edfu via Esna lock
Optional: Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 – Temples of Edfu & Kom Ombo
This morning, take a tour to the stunning Temple of Horus in Edfu, considered one of the best preserved of all the Egyptian temples. It was built during the Ptolemaic times and was completed over a 180-year period. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris. Its extravagant design and sheer size is an indication of the country’s prosperity at the time. After lunch on board, tour the imposing Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, that is dedicated to Horus, the Sky God and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Admire the fascinating detailed reliefs on the walls
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 – Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple & Obelisk
Today, visit the spectacular Aswan High Dam, an engineering miracle when originally constructed in the 1960s. The dam brought an end to the Nile’s devastating floods. Continue to Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis and marvel at the temple’s beautiful island location. Conclude the tour with a visit to a granite quarry holding the largest known unfinished ancient obelisk. Spend the afternoon at leisure or, join the optional Sunset Felucca Ride. Enjoy a relaxing ride aboard a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile and watch the exquisite sunset
Optional: Sunset Felucca Ride (PM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – Disembarkation, Flight to Cairo
This morning, after disembarking your cruise ship, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. An opportunity to join the optional Egyptian Museum & Bazaar. Begin the tour at the Egyptian Museum, a neoclassical building located on Tahrir Square. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts with more than 120,000 items on display. Continue to the famous Khan el Khalili Bazaar where you will find copper, brass-ware, leather, perfumes and antiques. Tonight, treat yourself to a superb dinner at one of the fine international restaurants with commanding views of Cairo or, attend the optional Sound & Light Show held in Giza with views of the mighty Pyramids. A spectacular and unforgettable evening!
Optional: Half Day Egyptian Museum & Bazaar
Optional: Sound & Light Show in Giza (PM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 – The Pyramids of Giza
Awaken in this city of ancient wonders. Begin your discovery of the Pyramids of Giza, built during the 3rd and 4th dynasties of the Old Kingdom. Enjoy an up-close view of the Great Pyramid, built for the Pharaoh Khufu, the oldest surviving structure, named one of the “seven ancient wonders of the world.” After seeing the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, head to the magnificent Sphinx that guards the Giza plateau, amazingly carved out of one huge piece of limestone. Leisure time this afternoon, or join the optional tour to Memphis & Sakkara with lunch. Visit Memphis, the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, founded by King Menes. Now, is an open-air museum highlighted by a giant statue of Ramses II. In Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs, view the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser
Optional: Memphis and Sakkara with lunch (PM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9 – Depart Egypt 
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal
Meals: Breakfast

Cruise sailing times are subject to change.

*Travel itinerary and displayed hotels may vary based on travel dates. Package price includes return airfare from Montreal plus intra-flights Cairo-Luxor & Aswan-Cairo, airport taxes, transfers, accommodations, most meals plus sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary. OPC Indemnity Fund fee of $1 per $1,000 of travel products sold is additional, visa fees, optional tours and gratuities not included. Limited space, other conditions and restrictions may apply. Not all travel dates available. Offer is based on avail;ability and is subject to change or cancellation at any time.